Region’s oldest park thrown a rescue line

THE region's oldest public reserve is getting a long overdue makeover with the formation of the Friends of Bulli Park.

Truck loads of weeds have been removed from the historic park in recent months with volunteers rolling-up their sleeves in a massive environmental improvement program.

Dedicated in 1886 and managed by the Bulli Park Trust until the formation of the Bulli Shire Council in 1906, the reserve is now the responsibility of Wollongong City Council and is the region's oldest dedicated public park.

Over a century of providing for the recreational needs of Bulli has taken its toll on the reserve according to Friends of Bulli Park spokesperson Robin Hutton.

Erosion and weed infestation were just two problems that needed urgent attention, she said.

The Huttons association with Bulli Park goes back 70 years. Mrs Hutton's husband Dal Hutton was born in a house in Park Rd in 1933 and he has lived off and on their ever since.

"Dal played in the park as a boy, and our children and grandchildren have all used the park," Mrs Hutton said.

"We felt we should give something back to the park."

The Friends of Bulli Park was formed in July this year after a suggestion from Bushcare coordinator Marcel van Wijk .

Over 200 native trees and grasses were planted in a swampy area in the south-west of the park last year and the group continue to meet at 9am on the first and third Thursday of the month.

Mr Van Wijk said the group is supported by the North Illawarra Residents Action Group (NIRAG) and funding received from the NSW Environment Trust as part of the Bulli Green Corridor project.

"I'm just glad we've finally started in the park, which is one of the six sites NIRAG is currently restoring with the assistance of Council's Bushcare program and funding from the State Government," Mr Van Wijk said.

Council's Parks division is providing the primary support for the project, since technically the site is in a park and not in a natural area, he said.

The Friends provide maintenance including weed control, rubbish removal and planting to improve the park.

"We hope to involve Bulli Junior Soccer Club in some tree planting activities in the near future," Mr Van Wijk said.

School students have also been recruited to give the park a facelift with Waniora Public School planting trees and removing weeds in recent months.

A Wollongong City Council spokesperson said the total area of the park is approximately 65,000 sqm with sport utilising about 32,000 sqm.

The sporting grounds are utilised by cricket, junior, amateur and women's soccer teams, local schools and regularly for dog club shows.